Maharashtra: Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule Condemns Attacks on Hindi-Speaking Citizens, Calls for Strict Action Against MNS Workers

Nagpur: Amid rising tensions over recent assaults on Hindi-speaking individuals in Maharashtra, state minister and senior BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule has come out strongly against the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), stating that violence based on language identity will not be tolerated in a democratic society.

Addressing reporters in Nagpur on Monday, Bawankule responded to the series of incidents where MNS workers allegedly targeted non-Marathi speakers, particularly in Mumbai and Thane, for using Hindi in public spaces. The attacks have sparked outrage across the state, with leaders from both the ruling and opposition camps expressing concern.

Bawankule emphasized that Hindi-speaking citizens are integral to Maharashtra’s social and economic fabric, and many of them have lived in the state for generations. He stressed that these individuals are not outsiders, noting that they are born here, reside here, and are active contributors to the state’s growth.

“This kind of treatment — where people are labeled as outsiders and subjected to violence — is unacceptable,” he said, adding that equating such residents with enemies of the state is a dangerous precedent.

The minister assured that he would take up the issue with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, urging the state government to ensure that law and order is upheld and the safety of all communities is guaranteed. He also called for immediate legal action against those responsible for inciting or participating in the attacks.

The recent incidents, which include videos of MNS workers confronting shopkeepers and hawkers, have gone viral on social media and triggered a political storm. While MNS has maintained that their agitation is to “protect Marathi identity,” many see the actions as targeted harassment.